Arthritis and Rheumatism

Swine Vaccine

08/04/2009

Question:

Can you tell me if the swine vaccine is dead or an alive vaccine and if it would be okay for someone on Orencia to get?

Answer:

It is recommended that individuals taking immune suppressing medications such as abatacept (Orencia) be immunized with killed vaccines. Killed vaccines are immunizations that will confer immune protection but will not cause the actual disease.

As of today (8/4/09) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website does not state if the planned batches of H1N1 swine flu vaccine are killed or live vaccines. However, presumably, they are killed vaccines. Please continue to check with your current health care providers or the CDC for further updates and clarification about the impending swine flu vaccine.

Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More)